Makati City: In his later years, Hernando Gunlao - affectionately known as Tatay Nanie - found a quiet yet powerful way to leave a lasting mark. Trusting the whisper of his heart, he opened a library with no rules and no barriers. He called it Reading Club 2000. When he was 50 years old, Tatay Nanie began his mission by placing 50 books on a small table along the sidewalk in front of his home in Barangay La Paz, just beyond the bustle of highly urbanized Makati City. What started as a modest display quickly became a beacon of learning and generosity. He welcomed everyone - students, neighbors, even curious passersby - to pick up a book and read. If they wished, they could take a book home permanently with no questions asked.
According to Philippines News Agency, when Tatay Nanie's shelves ran bare, help came from unexpected places. Supporters from across the country and around the world replenished his collection, often in bulk, inspired by his commitment to spreading the love of reading. "I only placed 50 books here. Isipin mo, six million na ang dumaan dito (Think of it, six million books got here already), if I will base it on my conservative computation of 200 books per day," Tatay Nanie, now 75, told the Philippine News Agency in a recent interview. "Ang binibigay mo, dapat ay napapaloob sa (What you give must be contained in the) golden rule: Love your neighbor as yourself. Then, you don't have to worry about sustaining it," he said.
For 25 years, Tatay Nanie has kept the same setup for his al fresco library. It remains open 24/7 to the public - no rules, no membership fee, no late return penalties. "Mas marami sa mga gustong magbasa ay marginalized, naghihirap na makabili ng libro. Kailangan lumebel ka sa kanila (Many who want to read are part of the marginalized sector; they cannot afford to buy books. You must reach out to their level)," he said. "Kaya ka nila papansinin dahil 'yung ibibigay mo ay of interest sa kanila, kung may pocketbooks ka, kung may story books ka (They give you attention for what you give that is of interest to them, like pocketbooks and story books)."
Fiction books, non-fiction books, religious texts, self-help books, magazines, encyclopedias, dictionaries, theses, and textbooks for all educational levels are among the variety of books found in Tatay Nanie's library. To protect them from damage, he covers the sidewalk books with plastic and elevates others in his driveway. He also actively distributes books to local government units, individuals, and reading groups.
Despite challenges, including an incident where his library was robbed of three sacks of newly donated books, Tatay Nanie remains undeterred. "I just thought it was beyond my control. On the positive side, I was freed from worrying about how I could distribute them, but the thing is I was not able to give justice to the donation, to the givers," he said.
Used and unused books are welcome donations to Tatay Nanie's library, but he finds more joy in seeing preloved books getting new owners. Some patrons prefer academic books with highlighted or underlined text, which aids in easier reading and reviewing. "'Yung ibang bata nga, gusto nila mga workbooks na maraming check marks, kase nalalaman nila 'yung tamang sagot, saka kasi naniniwala sila nata-transfer 'yung talino sa kanila nung nagsagot (Other children want books with many check marks because they will know the correct answers right away, and they believe the intelligence of the original owner is transferred to them),' he said.
On the day of the PNA interview, three senior high school students visited Tatay Nanie's library instead of a bookstore to search for books. They find bookstores not easily accessible due to prices, with most books ranging from PHP100 to PHP300. "I saw it online, a Facebook post, free public library, so I invited them to come with me," one student said.
Belonging to Generation Z, the students acknowledged the convenience of digital resources but still valued the tactile experience of reading physical books. Studies show that physical books enhance memory and comprehension, provide an undistracted reading experience, and reduce eye strain.
While Tatay Nanie does not conduct reading classes, he supports community efforts to inspire children to read. His work aims to fill gaps in access to reading resources, particularly in remote areas. He encourages educators in places like Basilan and Northern Samar to establish public libraries, believing every child deserves the opportunity to read.
"Sabi nila ito ang way ko para makatulong sa kababayan, pero para sa akin, itong way ko para ako ay may pinagkatandaan (They say that this is my way of helping our fellowmen, but for me, this is my way of creating a legacy in my old age)," he said. "Na-prepare ko 'yung pagtanda ko, na-busy ako, hindi ako nasa casino o sabungan, wala akong bisyo (I was able to prepare my old age, I have been busy with my library and not with vices in casino or in cockpits)," he added.
